Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
7 1 1
CIRCUIT AND METHOD FOR
AUTOMATIC MEMORY DIALING
Field of the Invention
The present invention is generally related to memory
~ ling, and more particularly to a circuit and method for
generating and storing special characters in a tli~ling sequence.
1 0
Background of the Invention
Previously, memory dialing for telephones has been
primarily restricted to simple telephone numbers where any
15 delay between digits dialed was relatively unimportant. The
number could be dialed at any continuous rate as long as it was
within the telephone company's specifications. Accordingly, only
the digits selected to be dialed were stored in the memory and
later dialed at a constant rate. That is, no additional characters,
2 0 such as pause characters, were included in the ~ ling sequence.
However, as more computer controlled services were
connected to the telephone system, additional functions were
required-for automatic memory ~ lin~ in many cases. For
example, b~nking or c~lling card access may require pause
2 5 characters in the tli~ling sequence to allow time to access the
particular computer controlled service. Further, other special
numbers may require a delay to complete the dialing sequence.
For example, when accessing a telephone outside of a local system,
a "9" followed by a delay may be required to get out of a local
3 0 system. Similarly, delays may be required at certain positions in
the ~ lin~ sequence in order to cover speech synthesis for a
voice-prompted paging system. Accordingly, some telephone
devices having memory rli~lin~; capability have included a "pause
key" which allows the user to m~ml~lly insert a pause character at
3 5 any point in the tli~ling sequence. When selected, the pause
character represents a short delay (e.g. one second) that would
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occur during memory ~ ling process before additional characters
would be dialed. Multiple pause characters could be linked to
obtain a longer delay as required.
In spite of the ability of a user to manually insert a pause
S character in a ~ ling sequence, m~nu~lly inserting pause
characters is often difficult for more complex systems. Because it
may be difficult to judge the number of pauses required for a
particular ~ ling sequence, a long trial and error process is often
necessary to adequately insert pauses. In some cases, it may be
10 impossible to insert the proper number of pauses. For example,
inserting pauses to wait for a far end pickup may be impossible
because some systems may answer after a variable number of
rings. That is, while a telephone system may generally respond to
a call after a certain number of rings, the number of rings may
15 vary depending upon the load on the system. Therefore,
preprogr~mmin,~ a fixed number of pauses to provide a
predetermined delay may not always be possible.
Accordingly, there is a need for a circuit and method for
memory dialing which automatically stores pauses or other
2 0 command signals in a ~ ling sequence based on upon the user's
entry of the digits in the cli~ling sequence. Further, there is a
need for a circuit and method for automatic ~ ling which is
responsive to the called party telephone system to accommodate
telephone systems which may respond to a call after a variable
2 5 number of rings.
Brief Description of the Drawings
In describing the circuit and method for automatic memory
3 0 dialing, reference is made to the following drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a circuit for memory ~ lin~
according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the storing of a ~ lin~
3 5 sequence according to the present invention;
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FIG. 3 is an exemplary diagram of a resulting ~ ling
sequence for automatic memory (li~ling according to the present
invention; and
FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a method for memory ~ ling
S according to the present invention.
Description of the Preferred Embodiments
Because of the complexity of memory dialing sequences
associated with pagers or computer controlled services accessible
by the telephone line, a system is required which will "memorize"
the ~ ling operation of a user during the entry of a particular
directory number to provide adequate delays when the number is
15 dialed automatically during memory ~ linp;. That is, according to
one aspect of the invention, pauses are automatically inserted
within the ~ ling séquence when delays are detected as the
number is manually entered by the user. Preferably, the pauses
are entered as the number is entered when the telephone is off
20 hook. The digits and pauses are stored in memory and can be
reproduced at a later time during memory dialing.
Further, different types of pause characters can be included
in the dialing sequence according to a further aspect of the
invention. A first type of pause character can merely provide a
25 delay before the next digit in the sequence is dialed. These pause
characters can be linked to provide a delay equal to the delay
between digits entered by the user. Alternatively, a special pause
character is inserted in the ~ ling sequence in response to the
detection of a far end ringing signal. The special pause character
30 will provide a delay from the entry of the previous digit until a
far end pickup is detected during automatic memory dialing.
Although the various pause characters are entered automatically,
pause characters and special pause characters can be manually
inserted by the user when storing a ~ lin,~ sequence to provide
3 5 the same benefit during automatic memory tli~lin~;. As will be
described in detail below, the circuit and method of the present
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invention will accommodate automatic memory dialing to any
type of pager or telephone system.
Turning now to FIG. 1, a block diagram of a circuit 10 for
automatic memory cli~lin~ is shown. Circuit 10 includes a hybrid
circuit 12 coupled to a telco line 14 having standard TIP and RlNG
lines. The hybrid circuit generally commlmicates with an audio
switch matrix 16. Audio switch matrix 16 provides signals for a
control circuit such as a microprocessor 18, which generally
controls the operation of circuit 10. A keypad 20 is also coupled
to microprocessor 18. Keypad 20 allows a user to enter the digits
to be stored in the ~ 1ing sequence, to select any type of pause
characters to be manually inserted for memory ~ ling, or to
select a dedicated memory location for storing a dialing sequence.
Circuit 10 could also include a display 22 coupled to
microprocessor 1 8 to display selected digits to ensure that the
correct dialing sequence has been stored.
Microprocessor 18 monitors the input of digits from keypad
20 to detect delays during the input of digits by the user.
Microprocessor 18 is preprogramed to automatically perform the
2 0 steps of the method for automatic memory ~ ling described infra.
The microprocessor automatically inserts pause characters in the
dialing sequence representing the delay between the entry of
digits. Preferably, the pause characters are automatically inserted
in the ~ ling sequence when the telephone is off hook. However,
2 5 pause characters could be automatically inserted when storing a
li~ling sequence when the telephone is on hook. As will be noted
infra, the special pause characters, which are inserted when a far
end ringing signal is detected, can only be inserted when the
telephone is off hook.
3 0 When automatically inserting pause characters, the
microprocessor could continuously establish a time-out period and
insert a pause character at the end of the time-out period until a
digit is entered. The pause characters would therefore be linked
to provide a delay during automatic memory ~ lin~ equal to the
3 5 delay experienced during ~ lin~; and storage of the sequence.
Alternatively, a character requesting a pause, followed by a
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character indicating the duration of the pause, could be included
to generate longer pauses. For example, a "pause for X seconds"
character could be followed a "5" character to generate a 5 second
delay during di~ling. Accordingly, only two characters would be
required in the dialing sequence to generate a pause equivalent to
five pauses.
Memory devices are also incorporated in circuit 10. In
particular, a read only memory (ROM) 24 contains stored
programs for performing telephone functions. Also, an electrically
1 0 erasable progr~mm~ble read only memory (EEPROM) 26 is
coupled to microprocessor 18 for storing the ~ lin~ sequences.
EEPROM 26 is capable of storing any digits or pause characters
selected by the user by way of keypad 20, or pause characters
automatically inserted in the dialing sequence by microprocessor
18.
A dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) generator 28 also
receives signals from microprocessor 18 to generate DTMF signals
on the telco line by way of audio switch matrix 16. During
automatic dialing of the stored ~ ling sequences, the DTMF
2 0 signals are generated at a rate controlled by the microprocessor to
accommodate for the pause characters or special pause characters
stored in the dialing sequence.
In a device adapted to transmit stored digital signals to or
receive digital signals from a device over the telco line, a signal
2 5 processing circuit such as a digital signal processor 30 could be
employed. Digital signal processor 30 is coupled by a bi-
directional bus 31 to commllnicate with microprocessor 18. Digital
signal processor 30 generally receives and transmits signals by
way of an analog-to-digital converter 32 and a digital-to-analog
converter 34 which are coupled to audio switch matrix 16. A
DRAM 36 and a ROM 38 are associated with digital signal
processor 30 for storing message information in a telephone
system incorporating the circuit and method of the present
invention.
3 5 Digital signal processor 30 is also capable of detecting a far
end busy signal or ringing signal on telco line 14 by way of audio
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switch matrix 16, and outputting an indication to microprocessor
18 on bi-directional bus 31 in response to detecting a far end
ringing signal. The special pause character inserted into the
character string to be parsed and dialed causes the "wait-for-far-
5 end-pickup" operation. That is, a delay is provided until a far end
pickup is detected. Accordingly, the special pause character
enables automatic ~ lin~ to a telephone system which may
answer after a variable number of rings.
Finally, in a cordless telephone incorporating the circuit and
1 0 method of the present invention, a transceiver 40 for
co.~ -ication with a cordless handset is provided. Transceiver
40 generally includes a receiver 42 and a transmitter 44 which
are coupled to an antenna 46 by way of a duplexer 48. Generally,
receiver 42 provides audio signals to audio switch matrix 16 by
1 5 way of audio line 50 and data signals to microprocessor 18 by
way of data line 52. Also, tr~n~mitter 44 receives audio signals
from audio switch matrix 16 by way audio line 54 and data
signals from microprocessor 18 by way data line 56.
Turning now to FIG. 2, the plefelled method for storing a
2 0 dialing sequence according to the present invention is shown.
Unless otherwise noted, the steps of the present invention could
be performed by microprocessor 18 of FIG. 1. A user will go off
hook and access a memory location at a step 60. The memory
location could be a dedicated memory location in the EEPROM for
25 storing digits or other characters. Alternatively, the user may be
required to access a special mode for recording (li~ling sequences
including the pause characters automatically inserted according to
the present invention. After accessing the memory location, a
time-out period is established at a step 62. For example, a one
30 second timer could be established in microprocessor 18 of FIG. 1.
The time-out period is monitored at a step 64 to determine
whether the time-out has expired. If the time-out has expired, a
pause character will automatically be inserted into the memory
dial sequence at a step 66, and the time-out period will be reset at
3 5 a step 62. Pause characters entered at step 66 could be linked to
provide an extended delay, or a single pause character which will
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extend for a predetermined period of time could be entered in the
sequence.
After the timer has been checked at step 64, the selection of
a tli~ling character (i.e. a digit) for generating a DTMF signal is
5 monitored at a step 68. If a ~ ling character has been selected,
the circuit will determine whether more than one half of the time-
out period has elapsed at a step 70. If less than one half of the
time-out period has elapsed, the selected (li~ling character will be
recorded in the ~ linp sequence at step 72, and the timer will be
1 0 reset at step 62. However, if more than a one half of the time-out
period has elapsed, a pause character will be inserted at a step 74
before the selected dialing character is inserted at step 72.
If no ~ linp; characters are detected at step 68, the
detection of a far end ringing signal is monitored at a step 76.
1 5 Generally, digital signal processor 30 of FIG. 1 could detect
presence of a far end ringing signal. If a far end ringing signal is
detected, a special pause character representing a "wait for far
end pickup" character in the ~ lin~ sequence is recorded at a step
78. Any pause characters following the last dialed digit (i.e.
2 0 recorded at step 66) are replaced with the single special pause
character. The special pause character will provide a delay from
the last dialed digit until a far end pickup is detected. After the
special pause character is inserted in the dialing sequence, the
timer is disabled until another dialing character is selected or a
25 far end pickup is detected. The time-out period is then
established at step 62 after a far end pickup is detected.
Finally, if no dialing character or far end ringing signal is
detected, the telephone system will be monitored for an on hook
state at a step 80. If the user has gone on hook, the (~ 1ing
3 0 sequence is saved in the dedicated memory and the method is
ended at a step 82. However, if the user has not gone on hook, the
state of the time-out period will be monitored at step 64.
Although the preferred method of storing a cli~ling sequence
includes the automatic insertion of pause characters and special
3 5 pause characters during the ~ ling of a number as described
above in reference to FIG. 2, it is understood that the pause
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characters and the special pause characters could be inserted
manually by the user within the scope of the present invention.
In particular, a user can estimate the delay required to cover
speech synthesis when ~ ling to a voice prompted system.
5 Similarly, a special pause can be inserted manually when a far
end ringing signal is detected.
Further, pause and special pause characters could be
inserted during storage of the ~ ling sequence when on hook. In
particular, pause characters could be entered manually or
10 automatically during an on hook storing of a sequence. Although
adequately covering the speech synthesis with pause characters
may require trial and error, the duration of the speech synthesis
in the voice prompted system should not change. Because a
special pause character is entered in response to a far end ringing
15 signal, the special pause character can only be entered m~nll~lly
when on hook. However, the special pause character will provide
the same benefit during automatic tli~ling whether inserted
manually or automatically.
Turning now to FIG. 3, an example of a stored ~ linp;
20 sequence is shown. The stored (li~lin~ sequence of FIG. 3 may
represent a number to access a bank account, for example. To
access a class 5 switch of a local PBX, a digit "9" is entered. A
delay D 1 having two pause characters each designated with a "P"
is recorded. This delay is recorded as the user waits to receive a
25 dial tone after ~ ling "9" to get out of the local system. These
pause characters could be entered m~nu~lly by the user, or
preferably the pause characters are entered automatically as
described above in reference to FIG. 2. A directory number "555-
1234" is then entered by the user. A delay period D2,
30 represented by the special pause character "P ", is entered in the
dialing sequence after the directory number. The special pause
character is inserted after a far end ringing signal is detected. The
special pause character P replaces any previous pause characters
P which may have been inserted before a far end ringing signal
3 5 was detected. Therefore, the special pause character provides a
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delay during automatic ~ lin~; from the last entered digit until a
far end pickup occurs.
Another delay D3 represented by two pause characters is
inserted after the special pause character. These two pause
5 characters may provide a delay for a message from the called
device. For example, the message may be a prompt for the user to
enter an account number. An account number "12345" is then
entered by the user. Another delay, D4, represented by two
pause characters is included in the dialing sequence. This delay
1 0 could correspond to another voice prompt from the far end device
requesting an access code, for example. Finally, an access code
"6789" is entered. Additional characters could be entered as
required, depending upon the number being called.
Turning now to FIG. 4, the method for automatic ~ ling of a
1 5 stored dialing sequence according to the present invention is
shown. At a step 90, the user selects a memory dialing location
having a dialing sequence stored therein. The first digit or
character of the stored directory number will be dialed at a step
92. The cli~ling sequence will be monitored for a special pause
20 character within a sequence at a step 94. If a special pause
character is not detected, the sequence will be monitored for a
pause character at a step 96. If the pause character is detected, a
delay will be provided at a step 98. If it is determined that the
~ ling sequence is completed at step 100, the method for
2 5 automatic memory ~ ling is ended at a step 102. However, if the
ling is not completed, the next digit or character is dialed at
step 92 and the dialing sequence is monitored for pause
characters and special pause characters
If a special pause character is detected at step 94, steps are
30 followed to detect a far end pickup. In particular, busy and ring
signal detection cilcuiLIr will be enabled at a step 104. Generally,
if no busy or ring signal is detected within a predetermined
period of time, a far end pickup will have occurred. Accordingly,
a timer will be started at a step 106 and will be monitored at a
35 step 108. In particular, the timer will be set to allow adequate
time to detect a busy or ring signal from the far end device. The
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telco line will be monitored for a busy signal from the far end
device at a step 110. If a busy signal is detected, the method for
automatic memory ~i~ling is ended at step 112. In such a case,
the automatic memory dialing of the particular number could be
5 retried at a later time.
If no busy signal is detected at step 110, the telco line is
monitored for a ringing signal from the far end device at step 114.
If a ringing signal is detected, a "ring count" indicating the number
of rings is advanced and the timer is reset at a step 116. If the
10 ring count is greater than the maximum number of rings, the
method for memory ~ linp is ended at a step 120. A further
attempt to call the same number could be made after a
predetermined delay, or an alternate number could be dialed.
However, if the ring count has not exceeded the maximum
15 number of rings, the timer is then monitored at a step 108 to
determine whether the timer has expired, or a busy or ring signal
is detected at steps 110 or 114, respectively.
Finally, if no busy signal is detected at step 110 and no ring
signal is detected at step 114 (i.e. a far end pickup has occurred),
2 0 the timer is monitored at step 108. When the timer has expired
at step 108, the completion of the ~ ling will be determined at
step 100. It should be noted that steps 104-118 could be
elimin~ted in an ISDN system where a far end pickup signal could
be detected on the telco line.
In ~.. ,."-~.y, the circuit and method of the present
invention allow a user to store dialing sequences for automatic
memory dialing wherein pause characters are automatically
inserted in the dialing sequence. A first type of pause character
may be automatically inserted in the ~ lin~; sequence to
3 0 represent the delay between entry of selected digits by the user.
A second type of pause character may be inserted if a far end
ringing signal is detected. The second type of pause character
would provide a delay during the automatic ~ lin~ from the
entry of previous digit until a far end pickup is detected.
3 5 Although the pause characters could be entered m~nll~lly, the
circuit and method of the present invention eliminate the
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requirement that a user manually insert pause characters and
elimin~te the guesswork associated with providing the correct
number of pauses. More importantly, the present invention
enables automatic memory dialing in situations where the
5 required number of pauses may vary, making automatic memory
cli~ling impossible. That is, a fixed number of pause characters
may not consistently enable automatic dialing if the far end
device may answer after a variable number of rings. Accordingly,
the circuit and method of the present invention enables automatic
10 memory ~ ling to complex telephone systems.
It should be noted that the block diagrarn of FIG. 1 is one
example of a circuit which could employ the method of the
present invention. However, it will be understood that other
circuits or recording devices employing automatic memory dialing
15 could incorporate the method of the present invention. The circuit
and method of the present invention can find particular
application with any device adapted for "call forwarding". That is,
the circuit and method can be particularly useful in an
environment where a user is not available to manually dial the
2 0 sequence should automatic dialing of a particular sequence fail.
Particular rerere-~ce is made to U.S. Application Serial No.
08/070,600, filed June 1, 1993 by James F. Goedken, Charles J.
Malek and John Gilbert and assigned to the assignees of the
present invention. This application is entitled "A METHOD FOR
2 5 LOCATING A USER OF TELEPHONE SUBSCRIBER EQUIPMENT" and is
directed to a method for automatically forwarding a recorded
message or a call in real time to one of a series of destinations.
The destinations could include another telephone or a pager which
has a complex ~ lin~; sequence. Accordingly, the circuit and
3 0 method of the present invention would enable automatic message
forwarding to any type of device such that message forwarding
would not be limited by the complexity of the telephone system
receiving the forwarded call.
While the present invention describes two types of pause
3 5 characters which could be inserted in the dialing sequence, other
types of characters are contemplated within the scope of the
present invention. For example, characters which provide
interactive comm~nication between the called system and the
calling system could be included. Accordingly, the present
invention is intended to include any variations within the spirit
5 and scope of the specific embodiments disclosed, and the scope of
the invention is defined by the following claims.
